Telemetry

Telemetry is an automated communications process by which measurements and other data are collected at remote or inaccessible points and transmitted to receiving equipment for monitoring. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron = measure. Systems that need external instructions and data to operate require the counterpart of telemetry, telecommand.

History

Although the term commonly refers to wireless data transfer mechanisms (e.g., using radio, ultrasonic, or infrared systems), it also encompasses data transferred over other media such as a telephone or computer network, optical link or other wired communications like phase line carriers. Many modern telemetry systems take advantage of the low cost and ubiquity of GSM networks by using SMS to receive and transmit telemetry data.

Applications

A plethora of modern telemetry applications include tracking wild animals, energy and utilities metering, preventing theft of vehicles, and a variety of other uses.

Types of Telemetry

Telemetry is used in complex systems such as satellites, aircraft, spacecraft, oil rigs, and chemical plants since it allows automated data collection, state health monitoring, and remote command execution.

Medical Telemetry

In medicine, telemetry is the process of recording and transmitting the readings of an instrument. The readings are sent to a remote receiver.

See Also

• Telecommand
• Data collection
• Health monitoring

Telemetry

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  Dropsonde used by the U.S. Air Force
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  Crocodylus porosus with GPS-based satellite transmitter
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  Bumblebee with transponder visiting an oilseed rape flower